Fiji scored a match-winning try at the death to dump the Springbok Women out of the World Cup in their Pool C clash in Auckland on Sunday.
South Africa had taken a 17-14 lead in the closing stages through a Libbie Janse van Rensburg penalty, but failed to control the ball from a restart, allowing Fiji to work it through a number of phases before Karalaini Naisewa dotted down for a converted score to end the clash 21-17.
The Bok Women lost their opening match 40-5 to France, with their final encounter against England next Sunday.
After yet another slow start at Eden Park, the Bok Women stepped things up in the second half, with Aseza Hele and Janse van Rensburg making the Fijian defence work hard, and the South Africans managed to keep their opponents scoreless for 39 minutes, but another unforced error ended up costing them victory.
Discipline was also costly as the Bok Women conceded eight penalties to Fiji’s three before the break, as well as a yellow card to Nomawethu Mabenge for a deliberate knockdown.
While the SA wing was in the sin bin, Fiji scored their first try through her opposite number Ilisapeci Delaiwau, with Lavena Cavuru’s successful conversion putting them in a 7-0 lead after 13 minutes.
Zintle Mpupha finally found some space to score South Africa’s first try, and Janse van Rensburg’s conversion made it 7-7 with mere minutes left until the break.
Unfortunately, the Bok Women seemed to lose some concentration and on the stroke of half time, Akanisi Sokoiwasa went over for a second try for Fijiana to five them a 14-7 lead at the break.
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Fiji started the second half like they finished the first, but a try by Vika Matarugu was cancelled after the TMO spotted an earlier knock-on. That seemed the galvanise the South Africans, who scored after an hour when No 8 Aseza Hele barged her way over.
Janse van Rensburg converted to make it 14-14, setting up a big final quarter, but the Bok Women were still guilty of making unforced errors and conceding silly penalties – SA gave away 11 second-half penalties – giving Fiji attacking opportunities to punish them, which they did in the end.
Earlier, hosts New Zealand unleashed a high-octane attacking style to beat Wales 56-12 in a one-sided match. Prolific winger Portia Woodman scored two of New Zealand’s 10 tries as the defending champions remained unbeaten after two rounds of matches.
Playing with attacking intent and a willingness to offload passes rather than kick, the Black Ferns had too much speed and skill for a Welsh side who had beaten Scotland 18-15 last week.
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There were doubles for 18-year-old centre Sylvia Brunt and Woodman, who lifted her extraordinary career tally to 36 tries in 22 Tests.
Wales crossed at the end of each half through Ffion Lewis and captain Siwan Lillicrap but, aside from a dominant scrum, they were outclassed in most departments.
Woodman is the tournament’s joint top try scorer with five level with Canadian hooker Emily Tuttosi, who scored twice as Canada also made it two wins from two when they beat Italy 22-12.
Down 5-0 after conceding a try to fullback Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi in 31 seconds, the Canucks took control up front, launching a series of ferocious forward drives. Tuttosi was the beneficiary, adding to the hat-trick she scored in last week’s big win over Japan.
© Agence France-Presse
Photo: @WomenBoks/Twitter
